Judges found a way to ensure kids are being heard before life-changing decisions are made for their families. One of the ways they’re doing it is with a goldfish in the courtroom.
Special needs child suffers cuts, bruises after he says teacher punched him in face for trying to perfect his homeworkour continuing commitment to solutions journalism, highlighting the creative people in communities working to make the world a better place, one solution at a time. Find out what you can do to help atOftentimes, in courtrooms across the country, decisions are made without listening to what the kids want even though those decisions drastically affect them.
I came in here with charges. At first, I was mad at him. I was always angry to come into this courtroom. But from his side, I looked like a bad kid. I looked like a kid that wanted to do wrong. Then CPS got involved. I started talking to my probation officer about what was going on at home. He started to see more. I don’t know what he saw in me, but he saw it, and he really gave me a chance.“He looked at me.
Judge Frank Rogers is part the team bringing positive change to the courthouse experience for children and their families.spent several hours in Judge Ferguson’s courtroom, watching how she empowers the voices of our youth in the courtroom on a daily basis. That day, the age range of the children appearing in court ranged from just months old to teenagers. Each child and their guardians were there for different reasons.
Both judges also have small gifts for the children that come to court. The gesture helps them connect with the kids, no matter their age. There is an entire wall with dozens of donated books for children to take home, too. Bruno the goldfish has been in the courthouse for less than a year, but is already making a big splash with everyone who visits Judge Ferguson's courtroom.Judge Heather Ferguson says Bruno the goldfish is a big draw, even for adults who come into her courtroom.She also has small toys to offer children who can take them home. Right now, they can choose between a small stuffed animal or a hot wheel.
There are worksheets to fill out ahead of time with answers to many of the logistical questions that arise when children come to court. It also provides guidance for children of different ages and when they should and shouldn’t come to court. “Given time constraints, high emotions, possible conflict, and/or re-traumatization shortly after removal, no age bracket will be offered the opportunity to participate in this hearing,” reads the document about preliminary removal hearings.
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